2023 Year in Review

December 22, 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible momentum the social purpose movement has made, not only here in British Columbia, but around the world.

The social purpose business ethic has sparked conversation that works to heal division, sparking collaborations amongst businesses and like-minded individuals that transcend industries and sectors. We see it galvanize communities and boardrooms alike, prompting dialogues focused on collective well-being that would otherwise not be had. Businesses are working together on purpose, and for purpose

To date, the United Way BC Social Purpose Institute (SPI) has helped over 200 business leaders and 50 businesses pivot to purpose. We’ve worked with businesses from all different industries and been inspired by the innovative solutions social purpose is bringing to their work.

Social Purpose Program Highlights

We’re most humbled by the organizations that go through our programs. This year, we welcomed, supported, and watched graduate, an incredible group of like-minded businesses through both our Innovators and Implementers programs. They dove deep into the work of researching, ideating, testing, refining, and unveiling their social purpose statements, and creating personalized implementation plans – a roadmap for their journey ahead. And while this work may feel daunting at first, it is a journey that is not done in isolation, and rewards both the heart and soul of both businesses and individuals.

Welcome, and congratulations, to the newest members of our Social Purpose Institute Community – we are excited to see where your purpose journey takes you!

SPI Welcomes its First Strategic Advisory Board

We are thrilled to welcome a phenomenal group of purpose-driven leaders to SPI’s first Strategic Advisory Board. With experience spanning from both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, members will be sharing their expertise in areas such as business development, ESG, social purpose, sustainability, JEDI, entrepreneurship, impact investment, Truth and Reconciliation, and much more. View and meet our new Members here.

Partnerships

For social purpose to truly be successful, collaboration is key. As we continue this work, we proudly partnered with social purpose company Coast Capital – a recognized leader in growing the purpose economy and valued partner of United Way BC’s Social Purpose Institute.

Check out the highlights from our partnership below and learn about the incredible work Coast Capital is doing to advance the purpose economy!

We also had the pleasure of partnering with the ANA Center for Brand Purpose – an organization that provides the education, resources, and guidance to maximize marketers’ understanding of all aspects of purposeful marketing and its significance in driving brand growth and social impact. United Way BC’s President and CEO, Michael McKnight, joined host Ken Beaulieu to talk about the growth of United Way BC, the importance of having a stated social purpose, how the Social Purpose Institute contributes to the greater good, and more. Listen to the full episode here.

Lastly, we teamed up with Kahani Pictures, a social impact production company that connects people through beautiful films. In partnership with Coast Capital, we created a video sharing the stories of five businesses that have adopted a social purpose framework, showcasing not only what it’s done for their business, but their communities at large.

Thank you to Coast Capital, Deep Cove Kayak, Eclipse Awards, Pro-Claim Group, and Hemlock Printers for sharing your passion for purpose and leading by example with relentless commitment. Your work is a testament that a new business ethic is possible.

What can social purpose do for your business? Watch to find out!

2023 Events

The social purpose ecosystem is one that celebrates the unique strengths of all involved. SPI was excited to host a webinar with BCLC and Deloitte that focused on their 2023 paper, How Risk and Internal Audit Operate in Social Purpose Companies. The virtual session was not only impactful but full of practical insights businesses can use to better understand how social purpose plays a role in internal audit functions. Watch the full webinar here.

We also host an ongoing series called Coffee on Purpose – a free virtual gathering where anyone interested can join and discuss all things social purpose in business! On October 27th, we partnered with the United Way Winnipeg Social Purpose Institute and welcomed guest speaker Brendan Reimer, Strategic Partner of Values-Based Banking at Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU). In this session, we discussed not only the business case for social purpose, but the moral case. Read the full blog here for a list of the session’s key insights and takeaways.

Our most notable event was the 2023 Purpose in Business Week – an annual celebration designed to generate national conversation and global awareness of the social purpose business movement. Held in November of each year, social purpose champions from all industries share their commitments to a new business ethic, inspiring a cultural shift towards a purpose-led economy.

For the 2023 Purpose in Business Week held November 20-24, we were thrilled to host two virtual events featuring incredible business leaders that are championing the adoption of social purpose to help create a more sustainable and resilient future. Learn more about Purpose in Business Week here.

Social Purpose Innovators Begins April 2024

We’re excited to share that we’ll be kicking off a new Social Purpose Innovators cohort starting in April! If you’ve been thinking about defining your organization’s social purpose, now is the time to start.

This program is designed to help organizations uncover and define their core, societal reason for being. By defining your authentic Social Purpose, you’ll establish the foundational building block for a purpose-led business which guides decision-making, creates values for stakeholders and community, and builds long-term resilience.

Join a community of peers and industry experts for five virtual half-day labs between April to August as we unpack the why’s and how’s of defining your social purpose. To learn more, connect with us directly at engage@socialpurpose.ca!

United Way BC Highlights

2023 was an exciting year for United Way BC. Only this past year, United Way BC led the way in food security, identifying new and innovative ways to make a difference. We built the Food Link App to address hunger and connect food with people in need, expanded our Food Hubs, and funded community pantries. We welcomed displaced Ukrainians and helped them adjust to their new surroundings through the United for Ukraine fund. We integrated with bc211 to have an even greater ability to understand and directly respond to crucial community needs and welcomed Powell River and District to our United Way BC family.

To view the full year’s accomplishments, visit the 2022/2023 Annual Report – an engaging review and sneak peek into what is on the horizon for United Way BC in the coming year and beyond. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who continue to support United Way BC. With your continued support, we’re able to create a healthier, more caring, and inclusive community for all.

Wishing You a Warm and Restful Holiday

As we look forward into the new year, we are filled with excitement for what is to come. Keep an eye out for new program dates, events, resources, collaborations, and much more! Interested in connecting? Follow us on LinkedIn, sign up for our newsletter, or reach out to us directly and engage@socialpurpose.ca – we’d love to hear from you.

Wishing you, and your loved ones, a warm and restful holiday and a happy New Year.